For Christmas...I hit the crack pipe.

"DrScientist" (DrScientist) 12/26/2016 at 12:20 • Filed to: None

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Figuratively that is.

Yes. It’s true. I picked up one of jalopnik’s infamous “nice price or crack pipe” honorees. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

12 cylinders, 24 valves, nearly 300 horses, 3 piece shnitzer type 2’s, a questionable suspension setup, and most importantly, 6 forward gears and 3 pedals by which to control them.

Among the nearly 8000 of you that voted, a solid 2/3rds suggested the owner had been smoking the crack. And while I didn’t pay the crack pipe price, I paid something approaching it. The seller was not kidding when he described it as nearly perfect. I challenge you to find a 25 year old car with 100,000 miles on it with an interior in such good shape. A pre-purchase inspection noted the a bit too much water in the brake fluid and a few leaky gaskets (nothing catastrophic) fluid was flushed and the price was adjusted accordingly for the gaskets.

It even got some (bad) press on bring a trailer. :( but i can’t seem to find the post.

With my cousin and his m3 on a quick mountain drive:

I saw the car, in Denver, for the first time while traveling across the country with a buddy in September. Flew back a few weeks ago, and drove her home to the east coast.

We may not have an autobahn here in the states, but we do have US roads in eastern Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. And boy-oh, this is what this car was made for. The landscape is amazing and boring at the same time, so the ability to cruise at high speeds for hours is quite welcome. I drove for 30-40 minute stretches the engine just a tick over 3k rpms, in 6 th gear. I’ll let you gearing nerds do the math to figure out how far into triple digits I was. Seriously though, 12 cylinder smooth power, only accentuated by the smooth pavement. (thanks kansas) EXACTLY WHAT THIS CAR WAS MADE FOR.

2000 miles of dirt and dust:

Back in NYC:

Anyway, what’s not to love?

Next chapter: The Best 20 th Century German GTs Head to Head

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:29

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That’s gorgeous. Glad to see it when to good hands!

Also, I was one of the 2600 who voted NP :)

Tazio, Count Fouroff > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:29

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Nice!

DrScientist > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 12/26/2016 at 12:35

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considering some of the asking prices from dealers these days, it was a very nice price. and the seller is a TRUE CAR GUY. he only had to sell this one to gain a spot for an exotic.

all the flak he took here and on BaT are completely unwarranted.

Anyway, i buy cars to drive them. So this one will get run through its paces, after that valve cover job and probably a few new rear bushes.

and thanks!

JGrabowMSt > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:36

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Lets get our V12s together dude. I love this. Im in Northern NJ, and once the spring thaw comes, will gladly meet up with you.

Welcome to “Baller on a Budget.”

DrScientist > JGrabowMSt 12/26/2016 at 12:39

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ive been meaning to get to your NJ oppo rides. oppologies for never following through. you have my email.

and i’m an OG member of budget v12s.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:39

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Good to hear. I thought everyone was being really mean to it as well. Sure the price is a little steep, but not madness. And try and find one in better shape for sale right now!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:43

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Congrats man! The 8-Series is a fantastically cool car. I have to ask, are you planning on leaving the current wheel setup?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:44

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People on the internet are assholes.

JGrabowMSt > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 12:52

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I remember that Jag.

It had an overheating episode just outside of a NYC tunnel a couple of years ago, if Im remembering the right thing?

Actually, Ill be in NYC for a couple hours this afternoon if youre free. Im going to B&H, then Im going to Water St for some food before leaving the city. If youre free, Ill keep you posted on my whereabouts, just shoot me an email.

theloudmouth > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 13:18

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Great write up and congrats! She’s gorgeous.

Schaefft > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 13:19

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Loving it! If it’s really in good condition and stays that way, you might be able to get your money back eventually, should you decide to sell it. People are starting to realize what a standout car the 8-series is (how many affordable V12 GTs are out there?) so prices will rise.

RallyWrench > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 13:39

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Very, very cool, congratulations. Prescient that you post this today, I just found out this morning that a client of mine with a manual 850i and manual 928S4 passed away, his wife is bringing the 850 in later.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 13:42

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Don’t take this the wrong way, but...

GIB GIB GIB GIB GIB GIB GIB GIB

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 14:10

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Ughhhh, that is painfully beautiful, very nice rims too. A l9t of nice angles on it. 2 doors, 3 pedals and 12 cylinders must be quite the combination, and it’s driven too! Congrats, I am jelly af lol.

awmaster10 > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 16:17

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In my eyes no BMW looks quite as handsome. Great purchase, as long as it stays running ;)

MarquetteLa > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 16:51

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Dude YES. I’m by no means a BMW fanboy, but this car is one of my favorites. Congratulations on the purchase. Sad that it’s not staying here in Colorado though! Enjoy :)

Matt Nichelson > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 17:56

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Congrats. Looks very nice.

Are you planning on doing anything to it or leaving it as is?

wiffleballtony > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 18:39

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Favorite BMW OF ALL TIME.

pip bip - choose Corrour > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 18:58

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nice find, you’re braver than me , i’d have steered clear.

but then again , i’m paranoid.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > DrScientist 12/26/2016 at 19:16

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[slow clap]

DrScientist > JGrabowMSt 12/26/2016 at 23:57

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yup. that was me!

jag is off in michigan with a loving new owner, an i’ve moved on to other overly-complicated GTs.

i’m actually out of state with family until after the new year. but keep an eye out... i’ll be floating around here and there.

:)

DrScientist > Schaefft 12/27/2016 at 00:00

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not to mention, it’s just a great car.

DrScientist > RallyWrench 12/27/2016 at 00:02

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oh boy... not to make light. but it wasnt me was it?

oh, i’m not married.

what colors are they by the way?

JGrabowMSt > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 00:08

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We’ll certainly have to get together when youre back! Im in NYC fairly often for work, and I end up getting drawn back by the food.

Im only an hour away from the Midtown Ferry, so its becoming more difficult for me to come up with excuses not to swing by.

DrScientist > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 12/27/2016 at 00:10

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thanks!

those wheels are massive for the rear, 11 inches wide. and somebody paid a pretty penny for them. the setup is really aggressive, and not totally my style, but i’ll wear the tires out and then look for options.

regarding driving it... some of the lower mileage e31s are starting to creep up in their asking prices. but i’m not sure what a lot of these dealers are thinking. 45k isn’t collector miles. and surely won’t bring a $10k premium for an automatic with the lower horse power engine.

DrScientist > MarquetteLa 12/27/2016 at 00:13

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i was a bmw fanboy, when i was a boy. i was in love with the 635csi. and the 850 was just ok in my book. but it grew on me. i lost interest in the marque by the time the e46 came around. and now i think both the old 6 and the 8 are gorgeous.

so this was a choice between an e24 and an e31. and considering how i was/am going to use it, the e31 is the winner. and i’m happy. :)

DrScientist > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/27/2016 at 00:20

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thanks!

regarding the wheels, i’m not planning to keep them. it’s really an aggressive look for me, and i tend to prefer something a little more conservative. (don’t mind the red 928)

it looks fantastic when not moving, but the tires rub on any significant compression of the suspension. and i’m super nervous around anything resembling a pothole, or even a pavement seam. i’m not going to drive it much during the colder months, and weigh my options.

some 10 inch 1 piece ACSs and the standard M-parallel are on the list. latter being easy to find, former being difficult to find 2nd hand or expensive. and there’s also the option to just use a 0.5 or 1.0 inch narrower rim on the existing wheels.

why do you ask? are you interested?

DrScientist > awmaster10 12/27/2016 at 00:21

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thanks!

and, i’m going in to this with eyes wide open.

as long as it stays running = as long as i keep my job.

DrScientist > Matt Nichelson 12/27/2016 at 00:27

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cosmetically, there’s an insert for the front bumper that i’d like to find.

i’ll probably change the wheel setup to something a little less aggressive.

and i’m thinking about getting it wrapped in gloss black. black was my first choice. but this ticked all the boxes except color, and it wasn’t red or green, so it was a go.

mechanically, needs those gaskets replaced which won’t come cheaply, so that’ll be the mech budget for the year. otherwise, squeezing more power or acceleration out of this car is a tough proposition. there is a dinan turbo setup out there, and a shorter limited slip diff that can be swapped. but for the highway driving i’m planning for it. it should be perfect as is.

RallyWrench > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 00:42

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Thankfully not!

Both are blue, the 928 is a light glacier blue, beautiful car that I unfortunately don’t have a picture of. This is the 850, in Mauritius Blue. It has some needs, but only has 81k miles and the leather still smells new. Great cars both.

DrScientist > RallyWrench 12/27/2016 at 00:55

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oh, that’s a great color. that deep blue would have been a first choice on all of my cars. (except the jaguar which had to be green)

at least you can comfort his wife by telling her he had excellent taste. :(

RallyWrench > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 01:01

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It is pretty in this shade, no doubt. Spot on about the Jag though, it’s really not even a choice there.

Small consolation, I suppose, but I think she loves this one as much as he did. The 928 was more his car, I think.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 01:24

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Nah, I mostly asked because I think the car would look even better with, as you put it, a more conservative setup, i.e. something that looks more factory. Just my personal taste.

Matt Nichelson > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 08:25

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I’m glad you mentioned the wheels. That’s probably the only thing I would change. I wish you the best with it and hope the gasket replacement goes well. It’s a lovely car and I think the black wrap would look good on it.

xsnowpig > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 09:03

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nice story and good luck. you were fortunate in the timing of your trip home- I70 across the vast heartland at this time of year can look like right out of the original Fargo movie and could have easily quadrupled (or more) your drive time and not in a fun way.

PepperMRoadster > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 09:28

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Highway heaven inside those 4 doors. Really nice! Good luck. Couple of speeding ticket makers there.

awmaster10 > RallyWrench 12/27/2016 at 09:38

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Wow thats a low mileage 8 series. Im jealous.

awmaster10 > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 09:40

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Would also look great on some style 65s. M parallels would be my second choice though.

awmaster10 > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 09:44

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Thats the spirit. Its great to see a car like this go from the hands of one enthusiast to another. And in another comment you were discussing dinan turbo and other power adders, but in my opinion you should keep it the way it is mechanically. 300hp may be nothing special today, but the way the 12 cyl delivers those horses is like nothing else (And will be ruined by a turbo)

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 12:26

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Gorgeous car, any big plans beyond maintenance items?

LongbowMkII > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 12:36

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*Drool*

SaabStory > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/27/2016 at 13:03

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People on the internet are assholes.

Are you referring to yourself, or just the rest of the world?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > SaabStory 12/27/2016 at 13:11

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Both

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > DrScientist 12/27/2016 at 18:57

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You drove through Kansas and didn’t stop by? boooooo

Gorgeous car, though. What’s so questionable about the suspension setup?

CaptDale - is secretly British > DrScientist 12/28/2016 at 11:25

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Congratulations! What a beauty and pairing that with a 928? Very cool!

CaptDale - is secretly British > RallyWrench 12/28/2016 at 11:27

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Oh gosh a blue, manual 8 series!? Dream car right there.

DrScientist > xsnowpig 12/28/2016 at 11:28

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no kidding!

i did get the front end of the ARCTIC VOREX (read that in a big echoey voice) where the car was reading single digit temps from illinois through ohio. there was a bit of snow everywhere, but the roads were clear for the most part.

DrScientist > PepperMRoadster 12/28/2016 at 11:30

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the red one gets me pulled over just for being red. 3 times already i’ve been stopped just for... looking like i was speeding? the bmw is a little more restrained in its looks, save the wheels. i’m thinking about a black gloss wrap to blend in more with the asphalt. :)

DrScientist > awmaster10 12/28/2016 at 11:33

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i’ve seen a few e31s on those. but i think they are a bit too busy. the car really lends itself to simple 5 spoke wheels. and it really goes with a concave or deep dished look as well.

i have a little bit of time to figure it out.

DrScientist > awmaster10 12/28/2016 at 11:36

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absolutely. i do not have the wherewithall for a major mechanical upgrade. after it warms up a bit, this car will get mostly highway duty. and i’m not a stop light racer, so i’m sure i’ll be content with her running perfect as from the factory. :)

RallyWrench > CaptDale - is secretly British 12/28/2016 at 11:37

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Take a look at LALD... :)

DrScientist > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo 12/28/2016 at 11:39

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biggest thought i’m having is gloss black wrap. but that’s really not critical to its enjoyment, behind the wheel or while looking at it.

i WOULD however like to maybe caravan the two cars down to austin for the usgp next fall.

DrScientist > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 12/28/2016 at 20:16

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i was a little hesitant to let the oppoverse know i was on the move across the country with a crackpipe car... which may have turned out to be a giant albatross.

:(

also... i was on a bit of schedule... leave denver sunday am, be in chicago by monday night... meetings all day... and then philadelphia by wed afternoon.

pretty state though! :)

DrScientist > CaptDale - is secretly British 12/28/2016 at 20:20

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thanks! i’ve got a smile as big as the kid with the ____insert toy of choice for christmas 2016 here____. :)

the 928 was garaged with a 91 XJS for a few months 2 summers ago. if i kept that one... it couldve been road & track cover shoot (ca: 1991) every day!

CaptDale - is secretly British > DrScientist 12/28/2016 at 20:26

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I can’t wait to read more. That would have been quite the garage.

DrScientist > pip bip - choose Corrour 01/04/2017 at 13:07

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it wasn’t hard to find actually.:)

i first saw it on CL with ads dating back to july. and only after i went to test drive it did i see it had made it to bring a trailer. then... while just researching the model... searched on jalopnik... and (gasp) the same car popped as a crackpipe contestant.

regarding paranoia... if it (the paranoia) is not going to go away, might as well include something in your life that is going to fulfill on the promise of the paranoid thoughts!

Rodan > DrScientist 03/01/2018 at 18:29

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Hi DrScientist. this is Jack, the one that sold you the 850i in Colorado! Nice write up! Thank you again for doing business with me. But I will tell you, I am truly missing that car. If you every want to sell it, please look me up first. I know there are a lot of negative comments on the AC wheels but I love them on that car! I also have the original springs for the car. Great pictures too of your trip!

DrScientist > Rodan 03/01/2018 at 18:57

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Hey Jack!

How are you doing!? I’ve Not been checking my comments on these boards for a while now. Some coincidence you just replied to this today!

Of course about the 850! It’s been great! I haven’t driven it much since thanksgiving or so. But I put a BUNCH of miles on her in the summer and fall. Even drove up to Montreal for the Grand Prix!

Let me tell you the latest. Last winter, I started her up to keep the battery fresh and noticed a strong fuel smell. There was simultaneously a squeak that developed in the rear pass side suspension.

Brought her in... they reworked the fuel rails, simultaneously replaced the intake manifold gaskets, and needed two new fuel pumps. The squeak was from some worn control arms. Those were replaced as well.

The aux water pump failed spectacularly while I was rolling up to a W hotel in Manhattan. That was last October, I jury rigged a bypass according to one of the forum guy’s recommendations. I have a new aux pump and hoses which I’m waiting to put in myself.

She’s about to go to the paint shop for a scrape the dumb guys at my garage put in the nose cone corner. After that it’s back to the mechanic for front suspension work (it’s developed a bit of a shudder while decelerating through 55-40mph) aaaaannnnd I think it’s time for a new clutch too! Yikes!

She’s not easy to keep running, but when she is... oh boy. She’s sweet.

I may have put 15k miles on her since you saw her last. :-D

I replaced the ACS’s with a set of rondell 58s and Michelin A/S 3’s. But I still have the ACSs in my garage.

I’ve toyed with the idea of selling her this summer. I need to look through my contacts to make sure I still have the right numbers.

Anyway, great to hear from you!